Sunday, July 20, 2008 12:20 AM EDT
Station site pumps up heat at beach
 Misquamicut residents Bill Stax, left, and Jeanne Garvey Stax, look at a pump house image including a tree buffer. Sun photo/ Susannah H. Snowden |
MISQUAMICUT -- Residents say relocating the Fisherman’s Avenue pump station would be worth the expected wait.
So, Town Councilors agreed Saturday to immediately seek state permits to move the above-ground portion of the new pump station to a nearby, empty triangular lot owned by the town.
And they consented to restore the one-way Fisherman’s Avenue to two-way traffic and to hire an independent traffic engineer to review the plan.
Councilors are expected to formally vote on these steps, and others, Aug. 4.
The decision came after hearing from some of the more than 70 residents who attended the annual morning meeting of the council and Misquamicut Fire District at the Crandall Avenue fire station.
Residents have called to move the pump station and requested answers to a litany of questions about the pump station’s appearance, location, safety, traffic impact and what they see as a lack of notification from the town. Several attendees Saturday also thanked the councilors for taking the flak and for meeting for 2 1/2 hours on a weekend.
Besides pursuing a new location for the tall, concrete and metal pump station and reconfiguring the street, the majority of councilors also agreed to temporarily hook up the pump station to a generator in the interim.
The lone dissenter, Councilor Caswell Cooke Jr., said he felt the relocation process would move faster if the station was not connected to a power source.
Cooke put the relocation cost at $60,000 to $100,000, a figure later confirmed by Town Manager Joseph T. Turo as “fairly accurate.”
The approvals and relocation process is expected to take two years.
For those two years, Cooke told attendees, “don’t call me and say your basement is flooded. Don’t’ call me and say your children are playing in sewage in the street.”
Several residents responded that the houses, located just blocks away from the ocean, do not have basements.
Jeanne Garvey Stax, of Rabbit Run, said it appeared that she and other residents should be careful what they ask for.
“I’d like each one of you to look us in the eye and say yes or no we’d want that monstrosity in your front yard,” she told councilors.
One by one, each councilor answered no. Councilor Diana Avedesian was not at the meeting.
Town officials said the state has required an upgrade to the low-lying beach community’s drainage system for 20 years. The pump station is just one part of the resulting $2.3 million project.
Cooke said the two most recent councils proactively sought a solution to years of residents’ complaints about flooding in that area. The project finally went out to bid in May 2007 and the contract was awarded in November.
Turo said the council discussed the drainage project on more than 20 occasions and held two meetings at the Misquamicut fire station, the most recent in June 2007.
Ella Wirth, of 64 Kimball Ave., questioned why, if so many meetings were held, residents and councilors have been surprised by the completed structure.
“Nobody is questioning why the pump station is where it is. We are questioning where it is,” she said.
Town and project officials explained why the station was constructed at the intersection of Fisherman’s and Kimball avenues, and not in the nearby, empty lot as many residents expected.
Turo said state regulations dictated the station’s location and appearance, “because that’s the low point and that’s where the water is.”
Raymond Cherenzia, president of project engineer Cherenzia & Associates, said the station is located at the widest point of the intersection: “We did our best to try and alleviate the drainage situation at the best location we could find.”
Cherenzia added that multiple drainage system designs were investigated, but this version met state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) standards. The structure is tall because the Federal Emergency Management Agency requires the electrical system to be elevated above the 100-year-flood line, he added.
Turo said the town purchased the empty, triangular lot for $130,000 in October with an eye on expanding the drainage system in the future. At the time of the purchase, the pump station design had already been completed and approved by state agencies, he added.
Cherenzia described moving the aboveground portion of the station to the triangular lot as “a very big question mark.” The pumps, located underground, would not be relocated.
The town would first need approval from the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and DEM. An earlier preliminary determination by the coastal agency indicated that the empty lot contains wetlands that must be preserved, Turo said.
A traffic plan has already been completed; it would re-open Fisherman’s Avenue to two-way traffic and slightly narrow the empty triangular lot.
Cherenzia said the proposed T-shaped intersection slows traffic: “We really think this is a safer design for the layout of the road.”
He added that while an initial traffic study was not completed, his firm is in negotiations with Lincoln-based traffic engineering firm Bryant Associates to review and make recommendations on the plans.
Cherenzia recommended the pumps run in the interim. Turo said the pumps are designed to operate on an emergency generator, which must be manually turned on and would only run in the event of a flood.
Cherenzia said the powering generator would be “loud.”
As an alternative, Turo also displayed three proposals to landscape the structure at its current location: a gate and Eastern Red Cedar trees, a white vinyl fence and hydrangeas or a private hedge with gate. The work would cost an estimated $10,000.
The drainage system drains storm water through a new, 24-inch pipe along Atlantic Avenue to a drainage basin located across the street from Misquamicut State Beach. The water is filtered by a Vortechnic treatment system and then discharged into Winnapaug Pond.
edupuis@thewesterlysun.com
So, Town Councilors agreed Saturday to immediately seek state permits to move the above-ground portion of the new pump station to a nearby, empty triangular lot owned by the town.
And they consented to restore the one-way Fisherman’s Avenue to two-way traffic and to hire an independent traffic engineer to review the plan.
Councilors are expected to formally vote on these steps, and others, Aug. 4.
The decision came after hearing from some of the more than 70 residents who attended the annual morning meeting of the council and Misquamicut Fire District at the Crandall Avenue fire station.
Residents have called to move the pump station and requested answers to a litany of questions about the pump station’s appearance, location, safety, traffic impact and what they see as a lack of notification from the town. Several attendees Saturday also thanked the councilors for taking the flak and for meeting for 2 1/2 hours on a weekend.
Besides pursuing a new location for the tall, concrete and metal pump station and reconfiguring the street, the majority of councilors also agreed to temporarily hook up the pump station to a generator in the interim.
The lone dissenter, Councilor Caswell Cooke Jr., said he felt the relocation process would move faster if the station was not connected to a power source.
Cooke put the relocation cost at $60,000 to $100,000, a figure later confirmed by Town Manager Joseph T. Turo as “fairly accurate.”
The approvals and relocation process is expected to take two years.
For those two years, Cooke told attendees, “don’t call me and say your basement is flooded. Don’t’ call me and say your children are playing in sewage in the street.”
Several residents responded that the houses, located just blocks away from the ocean, do not have basements.
Jeanne Garvey Stax, of Rabbit Run, said it appeared that she and other residents should be careful what they ask for.
“I’d like each one of you to look us in the eye and say yes or no we’d want that monstrosity in your front yard,” she told councilors.
One by one, each councilor answered no. Councilor Diana Avedesian was not at the meeting.
Town officials said the state has required an upgrade to the low-lying beach community’s drainage system for 20 years. The pump station is just one part of the resulting $2.3 million project.
Cooke said the two most recent councils proactively sought a solution to years of residents’ complaints about flooding in that area. The project finally went out to bid in May 2007 and the contract was awarded in November.
Turo said the council discussed the drainage project on more than 20 occasions and held two meetings at the Misquamicut fire station, the most recent in June 2007.
Ella Wirth, of 64 Kimball Ave., questioned why, if so many meetings were held, residents and councilors have been surprised by the completed structure.
“Nobody is questioning why the pump station is where it is. We are questioning where it is,” she said.
Town and project officials explained why the station was constructed at the intersection of Fisherman’s and Kimball avenues, and not in the nearby, empty lot as many residents expected.
Turo said state regulations dictated the station’s location and appearance, “because that’s the low point and that’s where the water is.”
Raymond Cherenzia, president of project engineer Cherenzia & Associates, said the station is located at the widest point of the intersection: “We did our best to try and alleviate the drainage situation at the best location we could find.”
Cherenzia added that multiple drainage system designs were investigated, but this version met state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) standards. The structure is tall because the Federal Emergency Management Agency requires the electrical system to be elevated above the 100-year-flood line, he added.
Turo said the town purchased the empty, triangular lot for $130,000 in October with an eye on expanding the drainage system in the future. At the time of the purchase, the pump station design had already been completed and approved by state agencies, he added.
Cherenzia described moving the aboveground portion of the station to the triangular lot as “a very big question mark.” The pumps, located underground, would not be relocated.
The town would first need approval from the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and DEM. An earlier preliminary determination by the coastal agency indicated that the empty lot contains wetlands that must be preserved, Turo said.
A traffic plan has already been completed; it would re-open Fisherman’s Avenue to two-way traffic and slightly narrow the empty triangular lot.
Cherenzia said the proposed T-shaped intersection slows traffic: “We really think this is a safer design for the layout of the road.”
He added that while an initial traffic study was not completed, his firm is in negotiations with Lincoln-based traffic engineering firm Bryant Associates to review and make recommendations on the plans.
Cherenzia recommended the pumps run in the interim. Turo said the pumps are designed to operate on an emergency generator, which must be manually turned on and would only run in the event of a flood.
Cherenzia said the powering generator would be “loud.”
As an alternative, Turo also displayed three proposals to landscape the structure at its current location: a gate and Eastern Red Cedar trees, a white vinyl fence and hydrangeas or a private hedge with gate. The work would cost an estimated $10,000.
The drainage system drains storm water through a new, 24-inch pipe along Atlantic Avenue to a drainage basin located across the street from Misquamicut State Beach. The water is filtered by a Vortechnic treatment system and then discharged into Winnapaug Pond.
edupuis@thewesterlysun.com
Westerly Monarchy???? wrote on Jul 16, 2008 9:14 PM:
" Now that the castle has been built (Ocean House), will the Quarterly Elite make a move to subjugate the citizenry of Westerly???? BEWARE! "
Re: Wake Up wrote on Jul 15, 2008 11:12 AM:
" Correct, I am in group 1, And because I am in group 1, I have a say in politics in my town, including how to spend the tax dollars generated by MULTIMILLION DOLLAR cottages. If the people in group 2 want a say in local politics, give up your voting rights in wherever you call 'home', establish residency in Westerly, register to vote in Rhode Island, and you will have a say. Until then, feel free to continue to subscribe to the ideals of the local SPECIAL INTEREST groups such as the RISC and continue to dream of the day, when they will be your political puppet in local and State politics! Otherwise, just go home and let the locals enjoy the rest of their summer. And by the way, take your lack of support for our community with you, because we all know here, it's not about our community with the quarterly elite, it's all about not wanting to pay taxes!!! I really find it hard to believe that multimillionaires, on paper, need tax breaks!!! Typical republican ideology, tax the masses!!
"
"
WAKE UP!! wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:25 PM:
" Re: Re: Jon - It seems you are from group #1 (the "fabric")and that you have no problem voting on how to spend the tax dollars this town receives from group #2 (the "stains")- which are easily twice as much as what most of us full year residents are paying. Who should be thankful? "
Insanity Runs Amok in Misquamicut wrote on Jul 14, 2008 9:23 PM:
" You people live at or below sea level, hence your flooding/septic problems! There may be ways to remediate runoff, but there is NO way to keep the ocean at bay! Case in point, how much do the owners of the Andrea pay to have sand pushed up/imported so that the result is a beach front??? Without the constant replenishing of that beach, the Andrea would fall into the sea!!! Nor-easters whip up waves that cut through the dunes and flood Atlantic avenue with SAND!!!! Not only are you living at or below sea level, you are living on land reclaimed from the beach. Well let me tell you ingrates something, (forgive the psuedo Seinfeld quip)... The ocean called and it wants it's beach back!! Think about what the REAL issues are here! Deep down inside, you shore fronters know it, probably joke about it.... There will be a day when the waves are lapping at their doors. Butter buy property on Shore Rd, looks like a solid investment for your grandchildren!!!! "
Pump station...systemic of bigger issues for MFD wrote on Jul 14, 2008 7:22 PM:
" With the average $6K annually in taxes given to the Town...it is finally being used for Misquamicut (As the summer people use ZERO infrastructure...no vote on anything...especially allocation of tax dollars...annual school budget, revitalization of down town, new schools, overpaid Town Manager and the DPW Taj Mahall)
The major service that the town provides summer resident is the Assesor knocking on doors looking adjust the assement (The only person from the town that cares)
The track record for the town or the MFD board supporting Misquamicut is not stellar or something that anyone should be proud of. Nor should anyone be proud of what has happened, on thier watch, to the quaint beach community of Misquamicut...now know as "Honky Tonk, USA" These issues will never exist in Watch Hill or Weekapaug:
Emegence of Beach parking lots with the need to have 1 bathroom per every 100 cars or 300 people;
Comercial building with no restrictions and hand painted signs along Atlantic Avenue;Emergence of snack shops along Atlantic Avenue on the sidwalks;Parking of motorcycles on sidewalks;Different approach for assesing taxes on commercial business along Atlantic Ave
There needs to be change...or Misquamicut will be the junyard for Westerly. "
The major service that the town provides summer resident is the Assesor knocking on doors looking adjust the assement (The only person from the town that cares)
The track record for the town or the MFD board supporting Misquamicut is not stellar or something that anyone should be proud of. Nor should anyone be proud of what has happened, on thier watch, to the quaint beach community of Misquamicut...now know as "Honky Tonk, USA" These issues will never exist in Watch Hill or Weekapaug:
Emegence of Beach parking lots with the need to have 1 bathroom per every 100 cars or 300 people;
Comercial building with no restrictions and hand painted signs along Atlantic Avenue;Emergence of snack shops along Atlantic Avenue on the sidwalks;Parking of motorcycles on sidewalks;Different approach for assesing taxes on commercial business along Atlantic Ave
There needs to be change...or Misquamicut will be the junyard for Westerly. "
FS wrote on Jul 14, 2008 4:08 PM:
" Its common sense to put a drain at the lowest point of the area, now we are going to move pieces of it to a higher area??? Won't be surprised if we have major flooding this year to teach everyone a lesson about being grateful!!! "
Re: Jon wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:43 AM:
" I wish I could understand what you are trying to say.... I'll make it easy for you to understand what I am trying to say. There are three types of people in Westerly.
1.) Residents of Westerly, who call Westerly their home and are registered voters because they have established residency in Westery. These residents live here 365 days a year, raise their families and conduct the majority of their lives in Westerly. They are part of the fabric of this community.
2.) Part year residents of Westerly, who come in from all parts of the country to spend their summers here. This group owns property in Westerly and as such are obligated to pay taxes on said property. They DO NOT consider Westerly home and have not established residency here and DO NOT have voting rights because of their non-residency status. This group of people are stains on the fabric of Westerly.
3.) Tourists who are primarily daytrippers that come to our town with not a care in the world for it's politics or residents.
What group are you a part of?? "
1.) Residents of Westerly, who call Westerly their home and are registered voters because they have established residency in Westery. These residents live here 365 days a year, raise their families and conduct the majority of their lives in Westerly. They are part of the fabric of this community.
2.) Part year residents of Westerly, who come in from all parts of the country to spend their summers here. This group owns property in Westerly and as such are obligated to pay taxes on said property. They DO NOT consider Westerly home and have not established residency here and DO NOT have voting rights because of their non-residency status. This group of people are stains on the fabric of Westerly.
3.) Tourists who are primarily daytrippers that come to our town with not a care in the world for it's politics or residents.
What group are you a part of?? "
Local wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:10 AM:
" I think that Cherenzia should be accountable for this mess! "
Bemused Resident wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:09 AM:
" I am glad the Town Council will work to address the concerns of local residents (whether year round residents or summer residents paying a full year's worth of taxes). I will admit that I didn't see the big deal when its location had to be pointed out to me but I can understand how those living next to it would understand. Along those lines, imagine if the pump house was 20 times bigger and was falling down and you would understand how the people of the town's Potter Hill section feel. The Town Council should prove their consistency by listening to the locals with the Potter Hill issue as well rather than a Virginia businessman interested in nothing other than his own investment. "
Fred Rogers wrote on Jul 14, 2008 9:11 AM:
" It really amazes me how the town of Westerly repeatedly wastes tax payers money. The town is run in a manner that is very reminiscent of a Mr. Roger's Neighborhood's "Land of Make Believe." This is not a game of trial and error, although the town sure thinks it is. Spending 60-100K to relocate this pump station is a JOKE!
I truly feel for the people at this intersection. I have seen this eye sore and there is nothing outside of make it disappear that will fix this.
Keep up the good work Westerly Town Council. What's next? I can't wait.
"
I truly feel for the people at this intersection. I have seen this eye sore and there is nothing outside of make it disappear that will fix this.
Keep up the good work Westerly Town Council. What's next? I can't wait.
"
Craig wrote on Jul 14, 2008 8:26 AM:
" First order of business for the new Town Council ----> REPLACE TOWN MANAGER (with highly qualified professional with proven record as a town administrator who will be able to stand up to the B.S. that goes on in this town). "
La La Land wrote on Jul 13, 2008 10:58 PM:
" All of the taxpayers of Westerly have heard the constant complaints that the problem with flooding at Misquamicut is so dire and nothing is being done to alleviate the problem "at the beach". Problem solved... now they have the audacity to complain that the resolution "is not good enough to be in their neighborhood! Golden rope syndrome?
Election year and counsilors are worried about appeasing the beach area voters as usual. As a taxpayer, I reject the councilors impulse to spend more taxpayers money to move the project to another location. LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS! Thank you Counsilor Cooke for displaying common sense.
"
Election year and counsilors are worried about appeasing the beach area voters as usual. As a taxpayer, I reject the councilors impulse to spend more taxpayers money to move the project to another location. LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS! Thank you Counsilor Cooke for displaying common sense.
"
MFD Resident wrote on Jul 13, 2008 10:10 PM:
" Unless the Town gains permission to place it in a commerical area (along Atlantic Avenue or Winnapaug), the Town should compensate those that have been impacted by the pump station (easements, tax assesment adjustments for homes within 500 feet of the pump station)Secondly, the Town should develop a better approach for lansdcaping plan and lastly, based upon the risk of moving it...they may be in fact better off leaving the pump station where it currently resides...
I also think that moving it into the triangle really highlights this white elephant...and says "wow, here I am for all to see" While it in current location, it could blend into the landscape much easier. "
I also think that moving it into the triangle really highlights this white elephant...and says "wow, here I am for all to see" While it in current location, it could blend into the landscape much easier. "
Jeff wrote on Jul 13, 2008 8:29 PM:
" Poor Westerly tax payers. God bless'em.
"
"
Jon wrote on Jul 13, 2008 7:24 PM:
" To Shoreline Brat Wwriter...
You should be the one that is thankful for spending the large tax contributes "these people" have provided "us people" for the many Westerly projects "us people" benefit from....Mainly the Schools. Since there are very few of "these people" in the school system which by far eats up most of the Westerly budget. "these people" can't vote on how to spend there tax dollars....Its really tax-a-tion without representation that 'us people' benefit from....something we all fough against many years ago....
So when "these people" saw what was produced after 20 years in the making (not something town officals should brag about) they obviously got angry on how their money was manged....
"You People" should take notice and use your vote to remove some of these town officals that are in power....because 'these people" obvious can't.
"
You should be the one that is thankful for spending the large tax contributes "these people" have provided "us people" for the many Westerly projects "us people" benefit from....Mainly the Schools. Since there are very few of "these people" in the school system which by far eats up most of the Westerly budget. "these people" can't vote on how to spend there tax dollars....Its really tax-a-tion without representation that 'us people' benefit from....something we all fough against many years ago....
So when "these people" saw what was produced after 20 years in the making (not something town officals should brag about) they obviously got angry on how their money was manged....
"You People" should take notice and use your vote to remove some of these town officals that are in power....because 'these people" obvious can't.
"
SandyJ wrote on Jul 13, 2008 4:07 PM:
" Drove down Fisherman from Shore Rd today and did not notice it until we were practically at the stop sign. IMHO, it would be much more of an eyesore in the triangle. This seems to be a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS! "
Citizen wrote on Jul 13, 2008 3:18 PM:
" What a big waste of money....if this had just been communicated to the residents of the are before being built, all of these issues could have been addressed well before wasting the towns money...50-60,000 is a lot of money just to move something...aren't people paid to think these things out before these things are done?? "
Another Westerly debacle wrote on Jul 13, 2008 3:05 PM:
" The individuals who developed, facilitied and monitored the design and construction of the project dropped the ball...
#1: Phase I of the project is already 35% over budget(Excluding the landscaping, moving of the station and unforseen engineering and legal costs)#2: No one is confident that this drainage solution will work. (Not even Mr. Cherenzia) #3: CRMC has already deemed the triangle can not be disturbed...as it is as a pocket of "isolated wetlands". So, chances of moving it to the traingle are slim and none. Side note: Still not sure as to why the Town bought those wetlands for $130K when the previous individual was under a purchase and sales agreement for this property for $90K.
The Town needs to look for another location. (a) Abutting lot where it resides today (b)a location along Winnapaug Road.
They also need to a better job of developing a facade around the astrocity other then a fence and some plants.
Finally, I am not sure that good old "local boy" Ray Cherenzia can deliver on this project...
Lastily, the Town Council, Manager and more importantly Misquamicut Fire Distrcit Board should all be held accountable. "
#1: Phase I of the project is already 35% over budget(Excluding the landscaping, moving of the station and unforseen engineering and legal costs)#2: No one is confident that this drainage solution will work. (Not even Mr. Cherenzia) #3: CRMC has already deemed the triangle can not be disturbed...as it is as a pocket of "isolated wetlands". So, chances of moving it to the traingle are slim and none. Side note: Still not sure as to why the Town bought those wetlands for $130K when the previous individual was under a purchase and sales agreement for this property for $90K.
The Town needs to look for another location. (a) Abutting lot where it resides today (b)a location along Winnapaug Road.
They also need to a better job of developing a facade around the astrocity other then a fence and some plants.
Finally, I am not sure that good old "local boy" Ray Cherenzia can deliver on this project...
Lastily, the Town Council, Manager and more importantly Misquamicut Fire Distrcit Board should all be held accountable. "
shoreline watchdog wrote on Jul 13, 2008 1:04 PM:
" This was a waste of money from the very beginning-it was never put in the budget (the whole 2.2 million)- it will be the town's and Turo's undoing - and yet the people down there will never be satisfied-all the Town Council is doing is playing politics-grandstading. Caswell Cook is the only one honest enough to step forward. "
djfredrick1@cox.net wrote on Jul 13, 2008 11:19 AM:
" Kudos to the Westerly Town Council for hearing the residents concerns in the affected areas re. the pump station and the increase in traffic flow. It's comforting to realize that although we don't have the ability to vote the Council listens to our voice. Thank you for your sense of fair play. Dave/Diane Fredrick 26 Kimball "
billd wrote on Jul 13, 2008 10:39 AM:
" Congratulations to the council agreeing to move this eyesore. I do not live in the area but did drive past it not beleiving what I saw. I know it will be expensive to move but it is the fair thing to do. To the person that wrote "shoreline brats"it is your arrogance that gives Westerly a bad name. You should be ashamed of yourself.No one deserves what happened there. "
Shoreline brats wrote on Jul 13, 2008 9:22 AM:
" In the entire article, There was not one THANK YOU from these people. I hope Westerly has learned their lesson! I, for one, will never vote to approve a beach project again! Disgraceful lot down there!!! "
Carey wrote on Jul 13, 2008 9:04 AM:
" I can "hear" the complaints from the neighbors now when that "loud" generator is running overnight and keeping everyone awake! I think the "problem" is that this job was not well thought-out by the project engineer (Cherenzia & Associates) for it's impact on the neighborhood and the Town just rubber-stamped it because "Cherenzia did it". Prediction: this project will dog Westerly for many years to come as it has already. [BTW, the other end of the project across from Misquamicut beach is being overgrown/consumed by plant growth ~ will it function properly when it needs to?] "
Fire District owner-John wrote on Jul 13, 2008 6:54 AM:
" i question this engineer--cherenzia--
i think the town engineer gave us more input "
i think the town engineer gave us more input "
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